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The Chronicle
$1.00 Vol. 131, No. 41 16 Pages
www.thechronicleonline.com
Fact or fiction? County sheriff answers reader questions BY SHARI PHIEL The Chronicle
This is the second entry of a two-part story in which we asked Columbia County Sheriff Jeff Dickerson to respond to nine questions culled from letters to the editor, social media posts and online comments. For answers to the first four questions, see the Oct. 2 issue of The Chronicle or go to www.thechronicleonline.com. On Nov. 5, voters will be called to vote on ballot measure 5-234, a four-year local option levy that would add 57 cents per $1,000 of assessed value to Sheriff Dickerson property tax rolls. Funding from the levy would go to support operational costs for the jail, raising an estimated $2.28 million in year one, $2.36 million in year two, $2.43 million in year three and $2.5 million in the final year, for a total of $9.57 million. Construction of the jail, which – according to several news articles published in 1999 and 2000 – was built for a total cost of around $29 million ($14.6 for the jail itself and the remainder for property, roads, and other costs), was completed in 2001 and was funded by a 1998 levy that added 38 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. Total funds collected from the levy were estimated to be $13.9 million. But finding enough money to cover the ongoing operational costs has proved to be difficult. In a July 10, 2001 article in The Chronicle, then-Sheriff Jeff Derby outlined a plan to See SHERIFF, Page A4
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Lower turn out at second port hearing BY SHARI PHIEL The Chronicle
A noticeably smaller crowd filed into the Clatskanie High School auditorium for what was intended to be the second half of a public hearing on a Port Westward rezoning application. But after three hours of testimony from opponents, the Columbia County Board of Commissioners announced a third hearing would be necessary to allow for rebuttal from the applicant (the Port of St. Helens) and board deliberations. “If we do not get through all of the testimony at tonight’s hearing, we will continue this hearing,” said Commissioner Henry Heimuller, adding that until that third hearing begins. Written testimony will continue to be accepted. The third hearing, which is scheduled for Nov. 6 and will again be held in the Clatskanie High School auditorium starting at 6:30 p.m., the board could hold the meeting open
SHARI PHIEL / The Chronicle
County Counsel Robin McIntyre joins Commissioners Tony Hyde, Henry Heimuller and Earl Fisher for Oct. 2 public hearing on a Port Westward rezoning application.
for additional testimony. As Heimuller began calling individuals to the podium, it became
clear that many of those who signed up to speak at the Sept. 18 hearing were either unable or chose not to
make the trip to Clatskanie for a second time. The public hearings being held are in response to an application from the Port of St. Helens to rezone 957 acres (of which 786 acres belong to the port and the rest belong to the Thompson family) currently zone for agricultural use to industrial. “I have a special concern for the Thompson property, which is 171 acres outside the dike. It is riparian forest, swamp and wetland along the Columbia and it is first-class wildlife habitat just onshore from the historic seining grounds,” said Rainier resident Darrel Whipple. “The best use for this is for fish and wildlife habitat, not as access to docks serving huge Panamax ships.” If approved, it appears the port has exactly that planned for the property. In July, Port Westward tenant Global Partners, which purchased the Columbia Pacific See HEARING, Page A4
Halloween comes to St. Helens
SHARI PHIEL / The Chronicle
Spirit of Halloweentown is officially under way now that the pumpkin at The Plaza in St. Helens has been lit. A full slate of activities are planned throuhout the month.
Warren man charged with sex crimes in Troutdale A Warren man was passenger seat and Hill in arrested and charged the driver’s seat. sodomy and Hill reportattempted sexual edly told the abuse after alofficers he had legedly meeting met the boy up with a teen online and comin a Troutdale municated with church parking him through text lot. messages, but James Misaid the minor chael Hill, 36, told him he was was arraigned 16. Hill also said on Sept. 26 in he had planned James Hill Multnomah to engage in County Circuit sexual acts with Court on one count of the boy. During a search first-degree online sexual of the car, the officers discorruption of a child, two covered condoms in Hill’s counts of second-degree possession. attempted sexual abuse, Hill’s court-appointed and one count of thirdattorney entered a plea of degree attempted sodomy. not guilty at his arraignAccording to a probment. able cause warrant issued Hill was booked into to Troutdale Police, offithe Multnomah County cers approached a vehicle Jail but has since been in the parking lot of The released. Chapel Church at 27132 Hill’s next scheduled SE Start St., and found court dates are Nov. 22 a 14-year-old boy in the and Nov. 25.
MESO names new local rep BY SHARI PHIEL The Chronicle
Microenterprise Services of Oregon recently appointed Casey Wheeler as its Business Services Consultant for Columbia County. Wheeler has over 30 years of experience in dealing with financial institutions, not-forprofits, non-profits and small businesses. He will serve as the local representative for the Portland-based non-profit, allowing local businesses better access to services and programs. “Because I will be here, it will be a lot easier to meet with groups like the chamber of commerce, Rotary, and Kiwanis, to talk about the program and get it out there.” MESO’s goal is to broaden economic opportunities for underserved entrepreneurs by providing business support to increase growth in income, assets, and business skills. Its clients cover a wide array of economic activities, whether that’s frozen baked goods, child care services, video production, beauty products, art, automotive services, marketing other goods and services. “I will be looking for individuals who fit the parameter of the programs, get them started, provide them with assistance along the way,” added Wheeler. One of the most popular MESO programs is the IDA (Individual Development Account), a matched savings program funded by the federal government and the state, which are designed to encourage savings and asset building. The non-profit is based on the philosophy of customizing support to the needs of the business. “We believe you cannot mass produce
Casey Wheeler
businesses. Building a strong foundation will stabilize and grow the businesses to become successful. We recognize the complex and multi-level problems experienced by entrepreneurs and offer support services in an integrated manner,” said Nita Shah, executive director of MESO. “The organization is excited to have someone with the diverse background that Casey brings to the position.” Wheeler is equally excited by the prospect of bringing MESO’s services to the local business community. “I am looking forward to helping expand and enhance MESO services within Columbia County as there is a great need for these types of services,” he said. In addition to the training and IDA program, MESO has serves as a SBA Microlender. For more information about the programs available please visit the website at mesopdx. org.